Monday, December 31, 2012

It started out to be such a quick and easy project. Heck I had just finished one and it went so well... Ever heard those famous last words?

I spend my weekend saying some not so lady like things in my sewing room. It's a good thing hubby was at the casino so he couldn't hear me! :-)
I decided to make another of the Samurai quilts for a friend. I bought some beautiful fabric at the LQS for it, but I needed 1 more piece for a 1 1/2" frame around the center of the block. I had a piece of black tonal that would be perfect. I pieced together and stitched down the lettering in the center of the blocks, and noticed that there was some dye transfer on my machine from the red fabric I chose for the block centers. I knew I should have prewashed, darn it! So I made the decision to serge the edges of the top and wash it before I put the Samurai on it, just to be safe. Well, I thought that was a good idea until this mess came out of the washer.

Horrors! Never in a million years did I expect the tonal to shred to nothing in the wash. I was so upset. The entire quilt had to be taken apart and put back together. (with a different border no doubt) Yes, there was steam shooting out my ears like razor blades!!!!!

Lets back up a bit. I have always be a proponent for using all types of fabrics. I have never been a quilt shop fabric only snob, and really do feel that a mix of fabrics, is quite acceptable. Heck our budgets can only afford just so much. But after this mess, I am second guessing my decisions all together.

You see this black tonal was a JoAnn's Fabric Keepsake Calico and was $7.99 a yard.

I love the looks of the fabric, but after seeing just how it held up in the wash, I have to ask, just what kind of keepsake could it possibly make? The one that is shot after 1 wash???? Does the fact that it came from China have anything to do with it? After all, we have been bombarded with inferior Chinese products in recent years. I am putting this mess, on the growing list of why I won't buy Chinese "crap" anymore.

I do realize that washing without something being quilted probably puts a little more stress on the fibers, but for the most part none of the quilt shop quality fabrics had such an issue.

Although it was the red that started it all, and it was a quilt shop fabric that I paid over $10 a yard for. In it's defense, there was never any issue with dyes running after I washed it. I even thru in a color catcher and there was no sign of red on it anywhere. Good for that, but you can see, there was some significant raveling that went on with it, in the wash, although nothing like the black.

I wish I had taken more photos of the back of the quilt when it came out of the washer. It was so full of strings that had twisted together, that it took me an hour to trim them all off, so it would lay flat. I had a huge fist full of loose threads.

There is a happy ending to the story. The quilt top is all done and ready to go on the longarm for quilting.

As for myself, I am going to have to do some sole searching about fabrics. My feeling right now is, if I use cheap stuff, it will be for backings and I will serge everything before using it. Or else it will just be used in and art quilt that will never be washed. Time is to precious, to spend it fuming over things out of our control! Am I right?

On that note I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

If your partying tonight stay safe. As for me the only driving I will be doing at midnight will be the longarm on this quilt. I am hoping that a big ole glass of wine will take the pain of yesterdays torment away!!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

It seems like I have spent no time at all, in my sewing room, and I really am not liking that too much.

But I did get my Christmas Stocking for Aunt Pitty Pats swap off in the mail yesterday.

I can't tell you too much just yet, but it is taking a very long trip to its new home, and I can't wait to see how my partner likes it!

You know, no matter how old we get, we all can appreciate the joys of Christmas! I for one have those visions of sugar plums dancing in my head! What the heck is a sugar plum anyway? LOL!!

While I may be clueless about Sugar Plums, I can in fact say, I do know about Elves. Yesterday I took a little trip up to Estes Park with a friend and saw this one cruising down the street.

That's a "yes Virginia" there are elves!! It's too bad I didn't get a better photo, he has a side car with a Christmas tree in it. Unfortunately there were no re-takes on the photo though, he was on a mission and cruised thru the stop light at warp speed! :-)

Friday, November 30, 2012

While our Holiday Lane hop may be over, the memories will stay forever. We saw so many fun takes on this adorable pillow, that my head spun!

One of my favorites was the sewing machine cover turned into a haunted holiday lane. I can't get enough of my favorite, "Halloween" projects! Then there was the village made out of foam. What a fabulous idea that was. I am dreaming of a village on my fireplace mantel. Loads of bling and some rope lighting to make it shine. Now will I actually get that done for this year, probably not, but a girl has to dream. :-) All the fun snow ideas we saw, the larger pillows, the smaller pillows, hot colors, traditional colors, primitive colors, black and white, red work... I can sure picture another new and improved Holiday Lane in my future!

Again I was just so humbled to have all the wonderful comments posted. My readers and followers mean so much to me. It sure makes me smile when I read each and every comment!

The winner for this hop is... #80 (random.org tells me) Lyn left me this sweet comment!

Wow your candy cane pillow is just so nice! Thanks for being part of the hop.

So Lyn, you will be getting an email from me, to get your snail mail address! Your Connecting Threads package will be on its way pronto. Congratulations! Wishing Lyn and all my readers the very best holiday season.

My blogging has been slow this fall, but I will be enjoying part time work in another month, and I am putting you all on warning. LOL!! My sewing machine will be working overtime to make up for lost time! I will have some fun ideas to share with you all real soon!

Thanks for making my blogging experience as wonderful as it has been! I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I am just coo-coo for this Holiday Lane Blog Hop! Have we not seen just the greatest different takes, on this fabulous pillow? :-)

Thank you, thank you to Jill over at Jillily Studios, for sharing her fun pattern with us all. You know you've made our holidays special!

And a big round of applause to Pauline, who thru computer crashes (oh don't ya just love technology) and the flu (tis that season), yet managed to get us all on track and organized for a fun hop! My hats off to you MS Pauline. Your a trooper and we love you!

And Madame Samm...well, as we all know, there are not enough words to say just how special she is to us all!!

My pillow is based on, nothing else but my favorite "candy" of course.

This Holiday Lane pillow is an entire street of Candy Stores, with a sky that's lit up with peppermint drops! Can life get any better?

From the specialty chocolate cup shop,

To the lollipop factory...

Or the gourmet hand dipped Carmel shop

to cookies and candy treats

Yum yum!

The Truffle-teria

is complete with a gingerbread man guarding the door!

Ok, so it shows what a Choco-holic I am!

Now pink is not usually my favorite color, but this year it seems to have a new found place, in my color palette. Who knew?

It seems to be perfect for my grandmothers antique settee.

And the babies seem to be quite content with it all!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. My last give-a-way for the year is...

A layer cake of Connecting Threads Technicolor Tidings.

You can make your very own Holiday Lane with these great fabrics.

Leave me a comment, and I will draw on Saturday Dec 1.

Wishing your "Holiday Lane" will be filled with all your dreams.

:-)

Be sure to stop by my fellow bloggers today and see what fun things they have to show you too!

Monday, November 19, 2012

First off I want to thank all of you who responded to my quest, to figure out how to mount cars on stakes to put in a planter. Great ideas come flooding thru and I was right on your page with them...

That was, until I made a trip to Home Depot. There began my Tim the Tool Man Experience. I had to chuckle at the guys when they asked what I was doing and I explained it to them. After I was told that it was almost an atrocity to deface a perfectly good toy car on a planter, they started to come around to the idea. It was like they all went into overdrive figuring out the logistics of this project. Which is when re-inventing the wheel began...

Who knew they sold threaded metal in 3 foot lengths?

That a bag of nuts, some big washers, and epoxy glue and we were on to something.

A perfect surface to glue to the bottom of the cars. It worked like a charm.

I found an old transmission case in the never ending pile of (excuse my language) "crap" that my hubby has been storing behind the storage shed for years. Who would ever dream, that I would be the one to find a use for it.

It was a one stop shopping day for me, as Home Depot had a great selection of cactus and drought resistant plants, even at this time of the year. The special potting soil and rocks... Everything I needed for the job!

Who could ask for more?

In fact they had some really cool looking plants there.

Looks like I am going to have to find a soft paintbrush and clean up some of the plants a bit, but don't they look great? I am thrilled with the end results.

What did I learn from this??? The next time you have a wild idea, go with it. There is really nothing to lose, and Home Depot will certainly come up with some outrageous way to make it work.

Now my mind is in overdrive. The next time I found a junk machine at the "Goodwill", I just might have to figure out how to turn it into a planter. With these succulent plants, that take almost no water...

Is that a perfect combo for many crazy planters or what?

:-)

I am delivering this planter to the guys at their new auto shop this weekend! Can't wait to see their reaction!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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WOW!I have always tried to share information to the best of my ability. My goal is inspire and entertain you down this crazy quilting road we all love to travel. With that in mind, this award is icing on my cake! Thanks to all, who take precious time out of their day to read my blog! :-)You make my day, everyday!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times. You meet the greatest people in blogland.

Just today I went out to me mailbox and found a wonderful surprise package from Robin. We met over a conversation on fabric dyeing. I set her some samples and information I have found useful and she sent me this wonderful package from Hershey Park. You remember me mentioning that I actually new someone who made kisses??? :-) :-)

Robin had no idea just how much it met for me to find this today. My mom passed away on Thursday and with all the stress... Well lets just say, this package couldn't have come at a better time.

If there is one thing I gained from my mom, it's the love of candy. Ummm... and the hips, that deserve a "WIDE LOAD" sign of their very own, and some things I probably shouldn't share! LOL!! So here's to you mom, I am eating it for you!! And thank you so, so very much Robin.

You remind me every day, why bloggin' friends are so special!

For my next quilt retreat, I get to show off all my goodies in my new Hershey Park tote bag!! Eat your hearts out, quiltin sisters!! Oh that sounded just terrible didn't it. :-)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

If you saw the post on Bonnie Hunters blog, (click here to view) you know they are looking for quilts for the Hurricane victims, who now have been plagued with snow on top of everything else.

My box just went into the mail with these 2 quilts you saw here, this past summer. I can't think of a better home for them.

In addition to that I put together 12 blocks for Erin over at the Vesuviumama.

You can check that out HERE. Erin has posted the directions for this block that takes just minutes to make. She is generously putting them together and sending them to needy families. Gather up your scraps, it only takes 2, 7" squares of 2 different fabrics.

I know that both these wonderful ladies will truly appreciate it, and will make sure the quilts make there way to those in need.

Wishing the very best for our friends in need on the east coast. Our prayers are with you while you rebuild your lives!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Wicked?? Did someone say "Wicked"??Now with a title like that, you know I have to be in on it too!!! I love wickedness!! After all my profile pic proves that point!!! And then there are those boys of mine, just ask them, who was the wicked-ess mother of all...Well on second thought, don't ask em! Cause I don't want to know!!!! :-) Here's my "Wicked" block...

A little "witchy poo" getting ready to cook up, a few kids!! Oops, I mean cook up a meal, for a few kids. And again I repeat, don't go ask'n my boys about my wickedness! Ummm...or, I'll get you my little pretty!!!!

:-)

Now, on a more serious note.

I was delighted to stumble across this fabulous Australian website called

Best yet, it's very-very affordable! I have no affiliation with them at all, just a very happy customer, who can't help but share!

My block, is a part of this fun pattern.

Don't cha just love it? I reduced it a bit to make a 12" square.

It kind of reminds me on the 7 Dwarfs!

Only, with a twisted Witch in it...

"Witch" don't ya know, is why I love it!

Heck I even love the embroidery they have to match!

The Quiltery, offers their patterns individually or by joining the "club".

I have to tell you, the club prices are great! They are in Australian currency, but for those who live in the US, like me, the rate of exchange was around $5 when it was all done. A bargain by any means!

Oh, and by the way they are having a Halloween Spooktacular sale over there right now but only till the 31st! Check them out!

I see they have put up a brand new pattern, in the Pattern club!

I am so bummed that I didn't find it in time to get it done for this hop!

:-(

But you know what I will be working on very soon, for next year!

Now for being so great, and joining me today, I have a bit of a "wicked" offering for you!

An "All Hallows Bash" sampler from Connecting Threads!

You can create your very own wickedness with these guys.

But it's only a short stack...

so, I am gonna throw in a Wicked potholder too.

I know you want those Ghastlie faces staring at you in your kitchen!

So be a follower, and leave me a comment about your favorite "Wicked" or "Ghastlie" thing to do for the season! I am going to be picking a winner Wednesday. So don't delay!

A big thanks to Madame Samm for her endless inspiration and dedication to our favorite blog, and to the Wonderful - Wicked -Wendy, who has outdone herself in organizing us all! We couldn't do it, without you girls!

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About Me

I've been stitching for over 50 years now and my goal is to inspire and entertain you down this "crazy" quilting road we all love to travel! Feel free to join in, and for heavens sake...don't let those crazy hats scare you. We all need a good laugh!